Last update: May 23, 2022
Legal online sports betting in Ontario is live.
On April 4, 13 sportsbook apps got approval to launch in the province including BetMGM, Caesars, theScore Bet, BetRivers, FanDuel, and PointsBet. DraftKings, one of the largest US sportsbooks, launched in Ontario May 18.
The legacy app is the provincial lottery’s ProLine+ app and it is still available for play.
Here is the latest about everything happening with sports betting in Ontario, including information about future online sportsbooks, how to place a bet and what is legal in the province.
Top sportsbook apps in Ontario 2022
What’s happening in ON sports betting right now
- May 20, 2022 — Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment is the first land-based casino operator to receive Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario approval for an online brand. The operator plans to launch PlayFallsview online casino and sportsbook in Ontario.
- May 18, 2022 — Just a few days after receiving approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, DraftKings launched in Ontario. The sportsbook operator already had doubts about first-mover advantages because of the thriving grey market in the province before the commercial launch.
- May 13, 2022 — DraftKings received its approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. DraftKings has not been bullish about entering the Ontario market but does expect a May launch.
- May 10, 2022 — NorthStar Bets launches into the Ontario market. The Toronto-based sportsbook has a variety of partnerships including with the Toronto Star and Parleh Media.
- May 6, 2022 — DraftKings expects to launch in Ontario during the second quarter, or by the end of June, according to the company’s earnings call. Company executives previously tempered expectations for the provincial launch.
- May 5, 2022 — Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment announced a partnership with Kambi to launch a PlayFallsview brand online gaming platform in Ontario. The two companies continue discussions for exclusive partnerships in new Mohegan Gaming markets.
- May 4, 2022 — The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario fines BetMGM and PointsBet for breaching the province’s strict advertising rules. Industry sources suggest other sportsbook operators might also be fined in the near future.
- April 29, 2022 — Pinnacle posted a Canada Country Manager job based in Toronto. The position will lead Pinnacle’s Canadian market expansion.
- April 19, 2022 — DAZN is looking to launch a sportsbook in Ontario later this year. DAZN Bet will be powered by Sportradar‘s Optima.
- April 19, 2022 — The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario added Betway to its list of registered operators. Betway is one of the gray market operators looking to make the switch to the regulated market, like bet365 and 888.
- April 18, 2022 — A Morgan Stanley analyst reported theScore Bet represents half of the sports betting app downloads since the April 4 launch of Ontario sports betting. Bet365 is closing the gap, however, according to Morgan Stanley.
- April 14, 2022 — NorthStar Gaming announced it received approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. The company plans to launch NorthStar Bets once it enters into an agreement with iGaming Ontario.
- April 11, 2022 — PointsBet partners with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, joining FanDuel as an official sports betting partner of the organization. The deal includes in-venue signage, digital assets and marketing activations, including a permanent concourse space at all 41 Maple Leafs games.
- April 8, 2022 — FanDuel becomes an official sportsbook for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors and Toronto FC. The deal also makes PokerStars an official gaming partner of the organization.
- April 7, 2022 — TheScore Bet announced it is the exclusive gaming partner of Major League Baseball‘s Toronto Blue Jays. The deal is 10 years and includes a “flagship sports bar and restaurant” at the Blue Jays’ Rogers Centre.
- April 5, 2022 — The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario approved BuddyBet for sports betting in Ontario. Additionally, FanDuel announced a partnership with TSN on April 4.
- April 4, 2022 — Ontario online sports betting is now live. BetMGM and Caesars were two of the first apps to become available in the province alongside legacy operator OLG Proline Plus. In total, 13 new gambling sites are anticipated in the province on day one. The debut is the first of its kind in all of Canada.
- April 1, 2022 — Caesars Sportsbook was approved by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, with the commercial online gaming market launch three days away. The AGCO also approved bwin and Party. FanDuel pulled out its DFS products, as reported earlier in the week.
- March 31, 2022 — FanDuel confirms its Ontario sports betting launch plans. Rush Street Interactive announced it received RG Check iGaming Accreditation from the Responsible Gambling Council, which is mandated for operation in Ontario.
- March 30, 2022 — Rush Street Interactive named Bruce Caughill as the managing director of its Canada business. BetRivers plans to launch Ontario sports betting next week.
- March 29, 2022 — FanDuel spokesperson confirms with LSR the company will pull its DFS products from Ontario April 1. A DFS trade group said more operators are expected to follow.
- March 25, 2022 — NorthStar Gaming announced a deal with Canadian sports broadcaster Rod Black. The official ambassador will supply NorthStar Bet with sports commentary on the operator’s social channels and in-app content.
- March 24, 2022 — PointsBet announced a partnership with the ownership group of the CFL‘s Ottawa Redblacks. The team will wear a PointsBet jersey patch and the stadium will now have the PointsBet Sideline Club.
- March 22, 2022 — BetMGM became the latest sportsbook operator to receive approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. The operator will likely launch as close to day one as possible, according to recent executive comments.
- March 21, 2022 — The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario approved Kambi as an online gaming supplier ahead of the April 4 launch. Kambi ensures it will provide day-one services for its partners, including 888, Unibet and LeoVegas.
- March 15, 2022 — The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario approved bet365 ahead of the April 4 launch of commercial online gaming. It joins other gray-market operators 888 and Unibet looking to head into the regulated market.
- March 11, 2022 — FanDuel and Unibet were added to the approved operators list on the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario website. The two operators join a growing list of companies lining up for the April 4 commercial online gaming launch.
- March 10, 2022 — BetRivers announced that it had received approval from Ontario regulators to launch on April 4. It joins a few other commercial sportsbooks to secure access, including PointsBet and theScore.
- March 8, 2022 — Bragg Gaming received regulatory approval as a gambling-related supplier from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Bragg suggests the online sports betting and casino market in Ontario will be at an estimated $2 billion in 2022.
- March 4, 2022 — Ontario native Connor McDavid, the NHL’s reigning MVP, joined BetMGM as a brand ambassador. McDavid joins all-time great Wayne Gretzky as hockey players on the sportsbook’s portfolio of ambassadors.
- March 3, 2022 — 888 announced it had received an online gambling license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
Is sports betting legal in Ontario?
Yes, sports betting is legal in Ontario. People may wager through a number of online sportsbooks including BetMGM, Caesars and BetRivers after the province expanded its sports betting market to include outside apps. Betting is also legal via the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.’s many retail outlets throughout the province. In addition, online sports betting is live through ProLine Plus.
Comparing sportsbook apps in Ontario
The list of available sportsbook apps in Ontario is in a state of evolution right now. For many months, the only legal option for Ontarians was ProLine+. However, since April 2022, several major sportsbook apps have been open for business in the province. Here’s a look at the apps available to Ontarians right now:
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM Sportsbook Ontario is live and available in the province. The app is one of the biggest and deepest online sportsbooks operating today. There are more options for wagering than you’ll find on most sites. In addition, the Edit My Bet feature allows players to adjust their open wagers by raising the amount of the bet, adding legs to an existing parlay or swapping out teams in the wager.
- App rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.1 (Android)
- Key takeaway: A customizable app with a long list of sports and bets.
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook Ontario is live and available for play in the province. Caesars is a big name that is making a strong push. While the app itself is not the easiest to use, Caesars makes up for it with a strong selection of prop bets and odds boosts. As a result, you’d be hard-pressed to find an app with more betting options and better promotions.
- App rating: 4.6 (iOS), 4.4 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Look for an expansive list of sports and promotions.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel Sportsbook Ontario is live and available in the province. It offers perhaps the easiest app to use. A simple interface with clear-cut navigation makes it a top choice for many bettors. FanDuel also offers same-game parlay options and an array of odds boosts and promotions. However, customer support can sometimes be slow to respond to issues. FanDuel was granted AGCO licensing in March.
- App rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
- Key takeaway: The easiest app to use in terms of structure and navigability.
TheScore Bet
TheScore Bet is one of the few commercial sportsbooks that is a truly Ontarian brand, and it launched on April 4. It has an easy-to-use app with the ability to book bets of almost any type, including most pregame and live wagers. However, theScore Bet is still a work in progress when it comes to offering a diverse lineup of sports for betting. It was one of the first apps to receive conditional approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
- App rating: 4.7 (iOS), 4.4 (Android)
- Key takeaway: A local sportsbook with a smooth app and familiar name.
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers Sportsbook Ontario is live. The app offers a separate layer of alternate bets and wagers, including a string of proposition wagers accessible through each game listing. BetRivers also maintains one of the only sports bettor-centered loyalty programs in all of gambling. However, the app itself is a bit clunky and tough to navigate. BetRivers received approval from the AGCO in March.
- App rating: 1.8 to 3.6 (iOS), 3.4 to 3.6 (Android)
- Key takeaway: The app is a work in progress, but the bets are top-notch.
PointsBet Sportsbook
PointsBet Sportsbook Ontario launched on April 4. It offers a unique form of wagering called PointsBetting. This adjusts your potential profits or losses on a bet based on how correct or incorrect your bet was. The app itself is functional, but it lacks a few features. AGCO granted PointsBet approval in February.
- App rating: 4.7 (iOS), 4.6 (Android)
- Key takeaway: A functional app with a focus on odds.
Unibet
Unibet Sportsbook is live in Ontario. Unibet is a familiar name for sports bettors in Europe, but is still finding its speed in North America. However, it has plenty of experience to offer tremendous service to Ontarians and visitors to the province. Of particular note, Unibet has a plentiful lineup of in-play wagering options available during most days. Unibet received its license in March 2022.
- App rating: 1.8 – 3.6 (iOS), 3.5 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Unibet has an excellent selection of available in-play wagers.
888Sport
888Sport includes several features worthy of Ontario sports bettors’ attention. For one thing, 888 has a recommendation page with an updating list of suggested wagers customized for each bettor. You can also find some ideas for betting through 888Sport’s BetFeed, which displays popular wagers on a rolling basis. 888Sport became able to operate in the legal market thanks to its licensing in March 2022.
- App rating: 4.4 (iOS), 4.3 (Android)
- Key takeaway: 888Sport makes it very easy to wager between its custom recommendations for you and its BetFeed of popular bets.
Bet365
Bet365 is an international sportsbook app and is now off and running in Ontario’s legal market after operating for years in the gray. Bet365 has an incredible selection of in-play wagers running during most of the hours of the day. There is also a large list of sports on offer, including many sports that are rarer or harder to find in Canada. The book allows bettors to adjust their open wagers through the Edit Bet feature.
- App rating: 4.3 (iOS), 3.4 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Bet365 has a deep list of rare sports markets and usually offers live wagers on these events.
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings is one of the top sportsbook apps in North America and offers plenty of advantages. For starters, its betting carousel means that you’ll always have some ideas for bets that you can make. DraftKings Sportsbook Ontario also has a betting pool function, but it is sometimes lacking in promotions for existing players.
- App rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.6 (Android)
- Key takeaway: A sleek, fast-moving app great for live betting.
Other sportsbooks available or coming soon to Ontario
- CoolBet
- BallyBet
Latest Ontario sports betting news
What Does DraftKings Want From Ontario Sports Betting After Late Start?
DraftKings should go live with Ontario sports betting by the end of May after securing a license, but cautioned against high expectations. Read More
NorthStar Bets Launches Into Ontario Sports Betting
A home-grown sportsbook is now live for Ontario sports betting. Toronto-based NorthStar Gaming announced Tuesday it launched NorthStar Bets for Ontario sports betting. The app includes sports betting in Canada and online casino. “NorthStar Bets was designed and built for Ontarians and as an Ontario-based company, we’re excited to launch in our home province,” NorthStar […] Read More
Ontario Sports Betting To See Mohegan Online Sportsbook
Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment plans to join the available online Ontario sports betting options. Mohegan Gaming and Kambi Group announced a deal Tuesday for a mobile Ontario sports betting platform. Kambi will power Mohegan Gaming’s PlayFallsview brand in Ontario, according to a release. “Once launched, this will mark MGE’s first online mobile gaming product outside of the United […] Read MoreHow to get started at an ON sportsbook app
For those who’ve never bet on sports online or have only used ProLine so far, most major sportsbook apps have similar procedures for new players. Creating an account should take only a few minutes, but be prepared to provide additional documents to verify your identity if necessary. For the most part, here’s what to do:
- Download and install the app.
- Register for an account.
- Make your first deposit.
- Place your first wager.
If the app you’ve chosen provides free bets as part of your welcome offer, you’ll find them waiting in your account once the registration process is complete. Whenever you decide to make your first deposit, you’ll find several options available to you. Electronic checks, credit cards, debit cards and PayPal will generally all work to fund your account, depending on the book.
Understanding Ontario sportsbook bonuses
Because the competition is always seconds away, legal online sportsbooks aim to provide players with extra reasons to log on, play and remain loyal. Sportsbook bonuses tend to come in one of several types:
- No deposit bonuses — These are usually available as introductory offers to new players in exchange for creating an account. They tend to consist of bonus money or free bet vouchers that allow you to try the site without incurring any initial cost.
- Deposit bonuses — Deposit bonuses mean the sportsbook will match all or a portion of your deposit amount as extra bonus money in your account. The percentage of the match varies from bonus to bonus, and the total amount of money you can receive will have a cap, as well. Sportsbooks sometimes call these matching bonuses.
- Odds boosts — These adjust the potential payouts on certain wagers in your favor. Odds boosts are short-lived offers, of course, because they are linked to individual games, but most books have a rotating list of them that updates daily.
What you can bet on legally
The rules are mostly permissive about any wagerable event so long as “the bet is not reasonably objectionable.” Provincial regulators will likely provide more clarity about what’s legal and illegal as things progress.
Esports are legal to bet on as sporting events, but virtual sports count as online casino games under the regulatory guidelines.
Most of the rules deal with the integrity of the people placing and accepting the bets, though. Pointedly, cryptocurrency is not legal tender for sports bets.
Legal gambling in Ontario
Ontarians have had some legal gambling options for decades. The addition of commercial online gambling sites is a welcome expansion, but there are also plenty of gambling locations and venues in the province. Here are some of the options for Ontario residents:
| Casinos | Ontario is home to 29 casinos, including seven in the Toronto area. Venues offer slot machines, table games, bingo and poker in varying degrees. |
| Live poker | Poker is available at select casino locations including Casino Niagara. |
| Lottery | Draw and instant win games are available through official retailers, and draw games are available via online subscriptions. |
| Online casinos | Slots, table games and live dealer games are available through OLG.ca. |
| Sports betting | Sports betting is available through OLG’s ProLine+, via both online and retail lottery outlets. |
| Horse racing | Ontario is home to three live racetracks and several off-track betting locations, each of which offer pari-mutuel wagering on domestic and international races. Ontarians also have options for online horse betting. |
| Bingo | There are dozens of bingo halls in Ontario, and most offer games the majority of weekdays and weekends. |
| Fantasy sports | DraftKings and FanDuel operate legally in Ontario. |
Ontario vs. Pennsylvania and Michigan sports betting
Ontario is clearly the crown jewel for sportsbooks seeking to enter the market in Canada. The province is the country’s largest by population, with an estimated 14.8 million residents. That would make it the fifth-most-populous US state, ranking above Pennsylvania’s 13 million residents. Only California, Texas, Florida and New York have more residents.
Pennsylvania sports betting is one of the breakout stars in terms of US sports betting success. It ranks third by handle ($12 billion) and revenue ($943 million) behind New Jersey and Nevada since the fall of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in May 2018.
Ontario also shares a border with Michigan. Michigan sportsbook apps launched in January 2021, and with Detroit only a stone’s throw away from Toronto, the new market likely did not go unnoticed.
Pennsylvania and Michigan represent a study in contrasts about the way that regulators can approach fees and taxation. Michigan set its license fee at $100,000, and it taxes sports betting at 8.4% (with an additional 1.25% for Detroit). Each Michigan sportsbook has to pay $50,000 to the state each year. Pennsylvania, on the other hand, requires applicants to pay a $10 million fee and 36% of their revenue as taxes. However, the fee is a one-time charge, and there’s no annual fee.
Ontario, for its part, has landed in the middle between these two approaches. Ontario sportsbooks must pay $100,000 annually as a regulatory fee, which is more in line with Michigan’s approach. However, Ontario will likely charge a 20% tax rate to sportsbooks, which is much higher than what Michigan books have to pay, though still less than in Pennsylvania.
Where to bet on sports in Ontario
With online sports betting, you can bet from almost anywhere in Ontario. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. has a number of retail locations scattered throughout the province, as well. Sports betting options are part of the physical lottery offerings, and you can make your selections there.
Additionally, casinos in Ontario could have their own sportsbooks in the future, though nothing is for certain. Casino companies would need to source sportsbook partners, and none have done so yet. Here are some of the most likely candidates and the largest casinos in Ontario:
- Caesars Windsor, 377 Riverside Drive East, Windsor
- Casino Niagara, 5705 Falls Ave., Niagara Falls
- Casino Woodbine, 555 Rexdale Blvd., Etobicoke
- Gateway Casinos Sault Ste. Marie, 30 Bay St., Sault Ste. Marie
- Pickering Casino Resort, 888 Durham Live Ave., Pickering
Most popular sports to bet on in Ontario
There are five professional sports teams in Ontario that should draw plenty of betting attention from residents.
It should not surprise anyone that Ontario has two NHL franchises. Canada’s obsession with hockey runs deep, as does Ontario’s ties with its two teams. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators should see plenty of single-game betting action should C-218 pass.
Also plenty popular are the Toronto Raptors, who took home the NBA championship in 2019. MLB‘s Toronto Blue Jays and MLS‘ Toronto FC also have loyal fan bases which could turn into loyal bettors.
NFL and CFL betting
There’s also no denying the popularity of football throughout Ontario and the rest of Canada. The Canadian Football League canceled its 2020 season but plans to return in 2021, meaning a return to the field for the three Ontario-based teams: the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the Ottawa Redblacks, and the Toronto Argonauts.
But there’s also plenty of enthusiasm for the NFL and the Super Bowl, especially the Buffalo Bills. Given the Bills’ recent turnaround, the team could become the most-heavily bet in Ontario if single-game betting is legalized.
Ontario sports betting timeline
2022: At the end of January, iGaming Ontario announces it anticipates a launch of online sports betting on April 4. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has approved online operators throughout early 2022. As planned, Ontario becomes the first province in Canada to open its borders to commercial sportsbooks. The April 4 launch date included BetMGM and Caesars, with more than a half-dozen apps on their way.
2021: Single-game sports betting is here with C-218 all the way through the parliament. The bill received full House approval in April and the Senate in June 2021. Individual provinces will handle the regulations, with an effective date of Aug. 27 — when many provincial lotteries expanded their product offerings. Ontario moves forward with draft regulations to govern an open market with PointsBet, BetRivers, DraftKings and other sports betting sites gearing up for launch in the province. Launch dates are still a moving target.
2020: Private member Kevin Waugh introduced C-218 in February, but there was very little action that year. The bill didn’t get its second reading until nearly a year later in February 2021.
One notable development in 2020 came in June when multiple professional leagues jointly issued their support of single-game betting in Canada.
2016: The second attempt to legalize single-game sports betting last decade in Canada fails.
2012: The first attempt to legalize Canadian single-game sports betting last decade passed the House, but it would go no further. The Senate failed to act on the legislation for years.
2011: C-290 is introduced by Joe Comartin. It’s the first attempt of the decade to end the federal ban on single-game sports betting in Canada.
1992: ProLine officially launches in Ontario in October.
Ontario sports betting FAQ
Who can bet on sports in Ontario?
You need to be 19 or older and inside provincial borders to bet on sports online in Ontario. Sportsbooks will check the location requirement through geolocation verification software. The software will require you to verify your location through your device’s GPS or through a program that you download to your phone or computer. Either way, you won’t be able to play until you confirm that you are within Ontario.
Am I able to use my phone to bet in Ontario?
Yes. ProLine+ is already online in Ontario and accepting wagers. Moreover, a number of sportsbook apps are set to debut if they haven’t already in the province starting in April 2022. Your phone will work for sports betting anywhere you can get a Wi-Fi signal.
Who oversees Ontario sports betting?
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is the regulator for the Ontario sports betting industry.
Where can I place a bet in Ontario?
Sports bettors can place bets online or through lottery retailers. Commercial sportsbooks launched in April 2022.
Can you play daily fantasy sports in Ontario?
Yes. Daily fantasy sports contests are legal to play in Ontario. However, top companies like DraftKings and FanDuel ended operations in the province ahead of the online sports betting launch on April 4.
Will online casinos launch with online sports betting in Ontario?
Yes. Ontario already has an online casino option through the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission (OLG.ca). However, the province wants an open commercial operator market that includes additional online casinos as well as online poker.